[Association between food regime and temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms in female students]

The signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders are highly prevalent. The etiology of temporomandibular disorders is multi-factorial. One of the new reported etiologies is the usage of various hard food items. This study was an attempt to determine the possible relationship between hard food usage and the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder. After elimination of other risk factors of temporomandibular disorders, 670 high school female students in five different areas in Isfahan city were selected by random cluster sampling. Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders [by means of clinical examination and questionnaire] and the frequency of using hard food items [in two groups and 13 subgroups] were assessed. The Chi- square test was used for evaluation of the relationship between the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder and selected hard food usage. In the subjects who consumed selected hard food items more than 3 times a week, the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders was higher as compared with others using softer food. A significant relationship between selected hard carbohydrate usage more than 3 times a week and TMJ pain was found [p=0.019]. Moreover, a significant association was observed between using more than 3 times a week of at least one item of selected hard foods with TMJ pain [p=0/029] and TMJ sound [p=0.013]. According to the results of this study, using some selected hard foods more than 3 times a week was related to temporomandibular disorders

[Results of neuro-endoscopic pituitary surgery in 26 patients with pituitary adenoma]

Endoscopic surgery of pituitary adenoma is a rapidly developing surgical procedure in the field of neurosurgery, with known limitations and advantages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of this technique for treatment of a group of patients with pituitary adenoma. In the present study, 26 patients with the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma, who were considered for endoscopic operation between 2002-2005 in Sina and Amir Alam hospitals, were included. The following data were registered: age, sex, symptoms of disease, findings of neurological exam, adenoma type [functional versus non-functional], treatment outcome and complications of the procedure and duration of hospital stay. Twenty six patients [14 male and 11 female] included in the study. Most of them were in the 3-6 decades of life. They included 11 non-functional adenoma, 9 GH-producing adenomas, 3 ACTH secreting adenomas and 3 cases with prolactinomas. Seven patients had complications of the operation [reversible in 6 patients and fatal in 1] and 6 of them had recurrence of the tumor during the 2-year follow up. Endoscopic surgery is an invaluable method for treatment of pituitary adenoma, and factors such as decreased complications and duration of hospital stay further adds to its popularity

[Homeopathy treatment and pemphigus vulgaris: case series]

Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic vesicular and autoimmune disease that involves the skin and mucosal membranes. The prevalence is low and drugs used for treating pemphigus have a lot of side effects. It has been suggested that homeopathy may be helpful in treating pemphigus conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of homeopathy in treatment of pemphigus vulgaris patients. A total of 12 new patients were identified over 1.5 year period. Those who did not used any drug for treatment of their pemphigus. Seven patients volunteered to be treated by homeopathy. Homeopathy treatment was applied for four weeks during the waiting period until biopsy confirmation report was received. No drug was used over this period in order to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathy alone. By the end of homeopathy treatment, patients were evaluated regarding the number of lesions, amount of pain and their wellness. According to the findings, two patients had prominent remission and six of them reported feeling better and had less pain. It seems that homeopathy does not have the expected efficacy of conventional therapy in controlling pemphigus conditions, but it may be used together with conventional treatment in order to reduce pain, dosage of corticosteroid medication used and also facilitates patients' recovery. In conclusion, further studies are required in order to determine the value of homeopathy more accurately when treating pemphigus conditions

role of urine polymerase chain reaction test in diagnosis of genitourinary tuberculosis

The genitourinary system is one of he most common sites of infection in non-pulmonary tuberculosis [TB]. The clinical symptoms and radiologic findings of urinary TB are nonspecific. Current diagnostic tests are of low sensitivity and labor-intensive. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate diagnostic value of urine PCR in genitourinary tuberculosis [GNTB]. This was a descriptive study on 33 patients with confirmed genitourinary TB. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, laboratory and radiologic findings were collected. For each patient, three consecutive early morning urine specimens were examined by PCR. The diagnostic value of PCR in mycobacterium tuberculosis [MTB] in comparison with standard microbiological methods was assessed.There were 33 patients with a mean age of 47.27 16.1 years. The most common presenting symptoms were irritative voiding symptoms [51.5%], flanks pain [27.2%], gross hematuria [9%] and suprapubic pain [9%]. Laboratory findings in U/A were hematuria [75.8%] and pyuria [60.6%]. IVU was abnormal in 61.5% of patients. Most common abnormalities were pyelocalyceal dilation [44%], ureteral stricture and hydroureter [37%] and multiple small calyceal deformities [25%]. Of the 33 patients PCR for MTB was positive in 16 cases [48.5%]. In patients with abnormal IVU, PCR was positive in 62.5%. A high index of clinical suspicion is necessary for diagnosis of GUTB. PCR is recommended for instant diagnosis and screening before further examination, it cannot be the only method in identification of GUTB

[Combined uses of two kinds of LASERS Nd-YAG and Er-YAG in treatment of oral fibroma and pathological evaluation of obtainedsamples: case report]

Today, the laser is used in a wide range of dental procedures. Some of the advantages of some lasers in treatment of oral soft tissue lesions are: elimination of need for local anesthesia, minimal bleeding, fast healing, absence of postoperative complications and reduction of recurrence rate. For these reasons is was used for treatment of oral fibroma. To our knowledge this is the first time both Nd: YAG and Er: YAG lasers was used for biopsy of oral fibroma in Iran. Oral fibroma was removed by these two lasers and examined by pathologist. The patient had no pain without using any local anesthesia. While using Nd: YAG laser, bleeding was not seen but cutting of tissue was slower than using blade . When using Er: YAG, cutting of tissue was faster than previous laser but bleeding could be seen